KR101743506B1 - Apparatus and method for sensing proximity using proximity sensor in portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for confirming proximity of an object using a proximity sensor in a portable terminal. In this case, a method for confirming the proximity of an object may include a process of setting a reference value in consideration of a user's hair style, a process of projecting light, a process of measuring an amount of received light with respect to the projected light, And determining the proximity of the object by comparing the received light amount

Description

[0001] APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SENSING PROXIMITY USING PROXIMITY SENSOR IN PORTABLE TERMINAL [0002]

The present invention relates to a portable terminal with a proximity sensor mounted thereon, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for recognizing a proximity using a proximity sensor in the portable terminal.

The portable terminal has been transformed into a multimedia communication device that provides not only a voice communication service but also a data transmission service and various additional services. In addition, with the increase of the services provided by the portable terminal, there is an increasing interest in a user interface (UI) for controlling the portable terminal.

The portable terminal is mounted with a proximity sensor to prevent malfunction during communication. For example, when a user performs a call using a portable terminal, the user generally contacts the portable terminal with the ear or the ball. In this case, the touch screen-based portable terminal may malfunction due to unintentional key input due to contact of the ear or the ball. Accordingly, when the proximity sensor detects the proximity of the user (the handset portion is hidden), the portable terminal performs a screen locking function to prevent malfunction. Meanwhile, when the portable terminal recognizes that the user is away from the portable terminal through the proximity sensor during the execution of the screen locking function, the portable terminal releases the screen locking function.

The proximity sensor is typically constructed on the basis of a photodiode as shown in FIG.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a proximity sensor according to the prior art.

As shown in FIG. 1, the proximity sensor 100 includes a light emitting unit 102 and a light receiving unit 104.

The proximity sensor 100 determines the proximity information of the object based on the amount of light (the amount of received light) absorbed by the light-receiving unit 104 after the light projected from the light-emitting unit 102 is reflected by the object.

When the proximity sensor is used in the portable terminal, the portable terminal sets a reference value of the amount of received light necessary for proximity recognition of the object. In this case, when the amount of received light measured by the light receiving unit of the proximity sensor is larger than the reference value, the portable terminal recognizes that the object is close. On the other hand, when the amount of received light measured by the light receiving unit of the proximity sensor is smaller than the reference value, the portable terminal recognizes that the object is not adjacent. Here, the reference value is set based on the reference sensing distance so that the proximity sensor can recognize an object positioned at the reference sensing distance as proximity.

Generally, the reflectance differs depending on the color of the reflector. For example, the reflectance of the reflector differs depending on the color as shown in Table 1 below.

reflectivity 3% 9% 12% 18% 24% 36% 48% 93% color Black Cobalt
Violet Emerald
Brown Gray
Green
Blue
Red Light Green
Orange Light Gray
Yellow
Sky Blue
Pink
Light Violet Light Yellow
Light Sky
Light Pink White

When the reflectance of the reflector is different as described above, the amount of received light measured for a plurality of reflectors at the same distance from the light receiving portion of the proximity sensor differs depending on the color of the reflector.

If the reference value of the amount of received light necessary for proximity recognition of the object based on white is set, the proximity sensor can not recognize the proximity of the black object or the sensing distance may be short because the reflectance of the black object is low.

Accordingly, the portable terminal in which the proximity sensor is mounted requires a method for adaptively recognizing the proximity of the reflector in accordance with the reflectance of the reflector.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for recognizing proximity of an object using a proximity sensor in a portable terminal.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for reducing a variation in proximity sensor recognition distance according to the reflectance of an object in a portable terminal.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for adaptively setting a reference value of a received light amount required for proximity sensing of an object in a proximity sensor according to reflectance of an object in a portable terminal.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for adaptively setting a reference value of the amount of received light required for proximity sensing of an object in a proximity sensor according to a user's hair color in a portable terminal.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for adaptively setting a reference value of the amount of received light required for proximity recognition of an object in a proximity sensor according to a user's hair style in a portable terminal.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for setting a reference value of the amount of received light required for proximity sensor proximity recognition in consideration of an average of light received during a reference time in a portable terminal.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for confirming proximity of an object in a portable terminal having a proximity sensor mounted thereon, the method comprising: setting a reference value in consideration of a user's hair style; The method includes the steps of projecting light, measuring a received light amount of the projected light, and comparing the received light amount with the reference value to determine the proximity of the object.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for confirming proximity of an object in a portable terminal having a proximity sensor mounted thereon includes the steps of: setting a reference value in consideration of an average of at least one received light amount measured during a reference time; The method includes the steps of projecting an image of the object, measuring a received light amount of the projected light, and comparing the received light amount with the reference value to determine the proximity of the object.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for confirming the proximity of an object in a portable terminal, comprising: a proximity sensor for projecting light and measuring a received light amount of the projected light; And a control unit comparing the reference value with the light receiving amount measured by the proximity sensor to determine whether the object is close to the object.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for confirming the proximity of an object in a portable terminal, comprising: a proximity sensor for projecting light and measuring a received light amount of the projected light; And a control unit comparing the reference value set in consideration of the average of at least one received light amount and the light receiving amount measured by the proximity sensor to determine the proximity of the object.

As described above, there is an advantage that the sensing distance of the proximity sensor can be kept constant by adaptively setting the reference value of the amount of received light necessary for proximity sensing of the object in the proximity sensor according to the reflectance of the object in the portable terminal.

1 is a view showing a configuration of a proximity sensor according to the prior art,
2 is a block diagram of a portable terminal according to the present invention,
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a proximity recognition procedure of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a diagram illustrating a proximity recognition procedure of a portable terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Fig.
5 is a diagram showing a proximity recognition procedure of a portable terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. The following terms are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, and these may be changed according to the intention of the user, the operator, or the like. Therefore, the definition should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

Hereinafter, a technique for adaptively setting a reference value of a light reception amount required for proximity recognition of an object in a proximity sensor of a portable terminal will be described.

2 shows a block diagram of a portable terminal according to the present invention.

2, the portable terminal includes a control unit 200, a proximity sensor 210, a storage unit 220, a display unit 230, an input unit 240, a communication unit 250, and an audio processing unit 260 .

The controller 200 controls the overall operation of the portable terminal. At this time, the controller 200 sets a reference value of the amount of received light required for proximity sensor 210 to recognize proximity of an object. For example, the controller 200 sets the reference value according to a user's hair style. Here, the hair style includes at least one of a hair color and a hair shape. For example, the control unit 200 may set the reference value in consideration of an average of the measured amount of received light.

In addition, the controller 200 compares the received light amount received from the proximity sensor 210 with the set reference value to determine whether the object is proximate to the object. For example, the controller 200 drives the proximity sensor 210 when a user attempts to make a call. Then, the control unit 200 compares the received light amount received from the proximity sensor 210 with the reference value, and performs a screen lock function when recognizing the object proximity. That is, when the controller 200 recognizes the proximity of the object, the control unit 200 turns off the operation of the display unit 230. The controller 200 stops driving the proximity sensor 210 when the call is terminated.

When the proximity sensor 210 is driven under the control of the controller 200, the proximity sensor 210 determines whether an object is close to the portable terminal. For example, when the proximity sensor 210 is configured based on a photodiode, the proximity sensor 210 includes a light emitting unit 212 and a light receiving unit 214. The proximity sensor 210 projects light through the light emitting unit 212 and measures the amount of light absorbed by the light receiving unit 214 by reflecting the projected light on the object to be transmitted to the controller 200 ). Here, the light emitting unit 212 is a light emitting diode (LED), and the light receiving unit 214 is a photodiode. The proximity sensor 210 is located near the area of contact with the user's ear during a call.

The storage unit 220 may include a program storage unit for storing a program for controlling the operation of the portable terminal and a data storage unit for storing data generated during program execution.

The display unit 230 displays status information, a menu screen, and story information of the portable terminal under the control of the controller 200. For example, the display unit 230 may comprise a touch screen.

The input unit 240 provides the control unit 200 with input data generated by a user's selection.

The communication module 250 processes signals transmitted and received via an antenna for voice and data communication.

The audio processing unit 260 processes audio signals input and output through the portable terminal.

The control unit 200 sets a reference value of the amount of light received by the proximity sensor 210 for recognizing proximity of an object and compares the received light amount received from the proximity sensor 210 with the reference value, Is close.

In another embodiment, the controller 200 sets a reference value of the amount of received light required for proximity sensor 210 to recognize proximity of an object, and provides the proximity sensor 210 with a reference value. Accordingly, the proximity sensor 210 may check the proximity of the object by comparing the amount of light received through the light-receiving unit 214 with the reference value provided from the controller 200. [

Although not shown in yet another embodiment, the portable terminal further comprises a setting control unit for setting a reference value of the amount of received light necessary for proximity sensor recognition of the proximity sensor 210. In this case, the control unit 200 may compare the reference value provided from the setting control unit with the received light amount provided from the proximity sensor 210 to check whether the object is close to the reference value.

As described above, the controller 200 sets a reference value of the amount of received light necessary for proximity recognition of the object from the proximity sensor 210 according to the hairstyle of the user. At this time, the controller 200 displays a hair style input screen on the display unit 230 so that the user can select a hair style. Then, the control unit 200 sets a reference value of the amount of light received by the proximity sensor 210 in order to recognize proximity of the object, considering the hair style selected by the user.

The following explains a method of recognizing proximity of an object using a proximity sensor in a portable terminal.

FIG. 3 illustrates a proximity recognition procedure of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the portable terminal determines in step 301 whether to drive the proximity sensor 210. For example, the portable terminal drives the proximity sensor when a user attempts to make a call.

If the proximity sensor 210 is not driven, the portable terminal ends the algorithm.

On the other hand, when driving the proximity sensor 210, the portable terminal proceeds to step 303 and sets a reference value of the amount of received light required for proximity recognition of the object from the proximity sensor 210 according to the hair color of the user. For example, the portable terminal displays a hair color input screen on the display unit 230 so that the user can select a hair color. Then, the portable terminal sets a reference value of the amount of light received by the proximity sensor 210 in order to recognize proximity of the object in consideration of the reflectance of the hair color selected by the user.

Then, the portable terminal proceeds to step 305 and uses the light emitting unit 212 of the proximity sensor 210 to project the light.

After projecting the light, the portable terminal proceeds to step 307 and checks the amount of received light for the projected light. That is, the portable terminal confirms the amount of light absorbed by the light receiving unit 214 of the proximity sensor 210.

In step 309, the portable terminal compares the reference value with the received light amount to determine whether the object is close to the object.

When the received light amount is smaller than the reference value, the portable terminal recognizes that the object is not in proximity. In this case, the portable terminal proceeds to step 313 to check whether the proximity sensor driving is terminated.

On the other hand, if the received light amount is greater than or equal to the reference value, the portable terminal proceeds to step 311 and recognizes that the object is close. For example, when the portable terminal recognizes that the object is close, the portable terminal executes the screen lock function. That is, when the portable terminal recognizes the proximity of the object, the portable terminal stops the operation of the display unit 230.

Then, the portable terminal proceeds to step 313 and determines whether to terminate the operation of the proximity sensor 210. For example, when the proximity sensor 210 is driven when the user tries to make a call, the portable terminal confirms whether the user has terminated the call. If the user ends the call, the portable terminal determines to end the driving of the proximity sensor 210. On the other hand, when the user is on a call, the portable terminal recognizes that the proximity sensor 210 is kept driven.

If it is determined that the driving of the proximity sensor 210 is to be maintained, the portable terminal proceeds to step 305 and projects the light.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the driving of the proximity sensor 210 is to be terminated, the portable terminal terminates the driving of the proximity sensor 210. Thereafter, the portable terminal terminates the present algorithm. For example, if it is determined in step 311 that the object is close and the screen lock function is executed, the portable terminal activates the operation of the display unit 230 when the proximity sensor 210 is driven, .

In the above-described embodiment, the portable terminal sets a reference value of the amount of light received by the proximity sensor 210 in order to recognize proximity of the object in consideration of the reflectance of the hair color of the user. In order to reduce the load for setting the reference value, the portable terminal may have three groups of hair colors having similar reflectivities as shown in Table 2 below.

reflectivity below 10 25% or less 100% or less Hair color Black
Cobalt
Violet Emerald
Brown
Gray
Green
Blue
Red
Light Green
Orange Light Gray
Yellow
Sky Blue
Pink
Light Violet
Light Yellow
Light Sky
Light Pink
White Representative color Black Gray White

When the hair color is divided into three groups as shown in Table 2, the portable terminal calculates the amount of light received by the proximity sensor 210 for recognizing proximity of the object, considering the representative reflectivity of the group including the hair color of the user, Is set.

In the above-described embodiment, the portable terminal sets a reference value of the amount of light received by the proximity sensor 210 in consideration of the reflectance of the user's hair color.

In another embodiment, the portable terminal may set a reference value of the amount of light received by the proximity sensor 210 for recognizing proximity of the object, considering the user's hair style, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 illustrates a proximity recognition procedure of a portable terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the portable terminal determines whether to drive the proximity sensor 210 in step 401. FIG. For example, the portable terminal drives the proximity sensor when a user attempts to make a call.

If the proximity sensor 210 is not driven, the portable terminal ends the algorithm.

When the proximity sensor 210 is driven, the portable terminal proceeds to step 403 and sets a reference value of the amount of received light required for proximity recognition of the object from the proximity sensor 210 according to the hairstyle of the user. Here, the hair style includes at least one of a hair color and a hair shape. The head shape indicates whether or not the ear is exposed. For example, the portable terminal displays a hair style input screen on the display unit 230 so that the user can select a hair color and a hair style. Then, the portable terminal sets a reference value of the amount of light received by the proximity sensor 210 in order to recognize proximity of the object in consideration of the reflectance depending on the hair color and the hair shape selected by the user.

Then, the portable terminal proceeds to step 405 to project light using the light emitting part 212 of the proximity sensor 210.

After projecting the light, the portable terminal proceeds to step 407 and checks the amount of received light for the projected light. That is, the portable terminal confirms the amount of light absorbed by the light receiving unit 214 of the proximity sensor 210.

In step 409, the portable terminal compares the reference value with the received light amount to determine whether the object is in proximity.

When the received light amount is smaller than the reference value, the portable terminal recognizes that the object is not in proximity. In this case, the portable terminal proceeds to step 413 and checks whether the proximity sensor driving is terminated.

On the other hand, if the received light amount is greater than or equal to the reference value, the portable terminal proceeds to step 411 and recognizes that the object is close. For example, when the portable terminal recognizes that the object is close, the portable terminal executes the screen lock function. That is, when the portable terminal recognizes the proximity of the object, the portable terminal stops the operation of the display unit 230.

Then, the portable terminal proceeds to step 413 and determines whether to terminate the operation of the proximity sensor 210. For example, when the proximity sensor 210 is driven when the user tries to make a call, the portable terminal confirms whether the user has terminated the call. If the user ends the call, the portable terminal determines to end the driving of the proximity sensor 210. On the other hand, when the user is on a call, the portable terminal recognizes that the proximity sensor 210 is kept driven.

If it is determined that the driving of the proximity sensor 210 is to be maintained, the portable terminal proceeds to step 405 and projects the light.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the driving of the proximity sensor 210 is to be terminated, the portable terminal terminates the driving of the proximity sensor 210. Thereafter, the portable terminal terminates the present algorithm. For example, if it is determined in step 411 that the object is close and the screen lock function is executed, the portable terminal activates the operation of the display unit 230 when the operation of the proximity sensor 210 is terminated, .

In the above-described embodiment, the portable terminal sets a reference value of the amount of light received by the proximity sensor 210 in order to recognize proximity of an object in consideration of the reflectance of the user's hair style. At this time, the portable terminal can set a reference value as shown in Table 3 below. Here, it is assumed that the portable terminal divides hair colors into three groups as shown in Table 2 above.

User selection Reference value Remarks Hair color Head shape Black Ear reveal
gamma A user with an ear-shaped hair shape will determine the color of the reflector depending on the color of the skin, since the reflector of the proximity sensor will be eared during the call Gray White Black Not revealing alpha A user with a non-earmarked head shape will determine the color of the reflector based on the color of the hair as the reflector of the proximity sensor becomes the hair during a call. Gray beta White gamma

Table 3 shows a reference value of the amount of light received by the proximity sensor 210 which is determined when the skin of the user is assumed to be white or yellow.

In the above-described embodiment, the portable terminal sets a reference value of the amount of light received by the proximity sensor 210 in order to recognize proximity of an object in consideration of the reflectance of the user's hair style.

In another embodiment, the portable terminal may set a reference value of the amount of received light necessary for proximity recognition of the object in the proximity sensor 210, considering the average of the received light amount as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 illustrates a proximity recognition procedure of a portable terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the portable terminal determines whether to drive the proximity sensor 210 in step 501. FIG. For example, the portable terminal drives the proximity sensor when a user attempts to make a call.

If the proximity sensor 210 is not driven, the portable terminal ends the algorithm.

If the proximity sensor 210 is driven, the portable terminal proceeds to step 503 and determines that the proximity sensor 210 is in operation by considering the average of the light received through the light receiving unit 214 of the proximity sensor 210, Is set as a reference value of the amount of light received.

Then, the portable terminal proceeds to step 505 and projects light using the light emitting unit 212 of the proximity sensor 210.

After projecting the light, the portable terminal proceeds to step 507 and checks the amount of received light for the projected light. That is, the portable terminal confirms the amount of light absorbed by the light receiving unit 214 of the proximity sensor 210.

In step 509, the portable terminal compares the reference value with the received light amount to determine whether the object is proximate.

When the received light amount is smaller than the reference value, the portable terminal recognizes that the object is not in proximity. In this case, the portable terminal proceeds to step 513 and checks whether the proximity sensor driving is terminated.

On the other hand, if the received light amount is equal to or greater than the reference value, the portable terminal proceeds to step 511 and recognizes that the object is close. For example, when the portable terminal recognizes that the object is close, the portable terminal executes the screen lock function. That is, when the portable terminal recognizes the proximity of the object, the portable terminal stops the operation of the display unit 230.

Then, the portable terminal proceeds to step 513 and determines whether to end the driving of the proximity sensor 210. For example, when the proximity sensor 210 is driven when the user tries to make a call, the portable terminal confirms whether the user has terminated the call. If the user ends the call, the portable terminal determines to end the driving of the proximity sensor 210. On the other hand, when the user is on a call, the portable terminal recognizes that the proximity sensor 210 is kept driven.

If it is determined that the driving of the proximity sensor 210 is to be maintained, the portable terminal proceeds to step 505 and projects the light.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the driving of the proximity sensor 210 is to be terminated, the portable terminal terminates the driving of the proximity sensor 210. Thereafter, the portable terminal terminates the present algorithm. For example, if it is determined in step 511 that the object is close and the screen lock function is executed, the portable terminal activates the operation of the display unit 230 when the operation of the proximity sensor 210 is terminated, .

In the above-described embodiment, if the proximity sensor 210 is driven, the portable terminal proceeds to step 505 to project the light.

In another embodiment, if the driving of the proximity sensor 210 is maintained, the portable terminal may set the reference value of the amount of received light required for proximity recognition of the object from the proximity sensor 210 in step 503.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the illustrated embodiments, but should be determined by the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims (20)

A method for confirming proximity of an object in a portable terminal with a proximity sensor mounted thereon,
Setting a reference value corresponding to a head color of a user when a call connection with an external portable terminal is performed;
A process of projecting light;
Measuring a received light amount of the projected light; And
And comparing the reference value with the received light amount to determine whether the object is close to the object.
The method according to claim 1,
And driving the proximity sensor when a call connection with the external portable terminal is performed.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the step of setting the reference value corresponding to the hair color of the user comprises:
Outputting a screen including a plurality of hair colors; And
And setting one of the plurality of hair colors as the reference value according to a user's input.
The method according to claim 1,
The process of determining proximity of the object may include:
And recognizing that the object is close to the proximity sensor when the light reception amount is larger than the reference value.
5. The method of claim 4,
And executing a screen lock function when the object is recognized as being close to the proximity sensor.
A method for confirming proximity of an object in a portable terminal with a proximity sensor mounted thereon,
Setting a reference value by considering an average of a plurality of received light amounts measured during a reference time when a call connection with an external portable terminal is performed;
A process of projecting light;
Measuring a received light amount of the projected light; And
And comparing the reference value with the received light amount to determine whether the object is close to the object.
The method according to claim 6,
And driving the proximity sensor when a call connection with the external portable terminal is performed.
The method according to claim 6,
The process of determining proximity of the object may include:
And recognizing that the object is close to the proximity sensor when the light reception amount is larger than the reference value.
9. The method of claim 8,
And executing a screen lock function when the object is recognized as being close to the proximity sensor.
An apparatus for confirming proximity of an object in a portable terminal,
A communication module for performing a call connection with an external portable terminal;
A proximity sensor for projecting the light and measuring an amount of received light with respect to the projected light; And
And a control unit for setting a reference value corresponding to a hair color of the user when a call connection is established with the external portable terminal and comparing the reference value and the received light amount to determine whether the object is close to the object .
11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the proximity sensor is activated when a call connection with the external portable terminal is performed.
11. The method of claim 10,
The proximity sensor includes:
A light emitting part for projecting light; And
And a light receiving unit for measuring a light receiving amount with respect to the light projected from the light emitting unit.
11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the controller outputs a screen including a plurality of hair colors and sets one of the plurality of hair colors as the reference value according to a user's input.
11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the control unit recognizes that the object is close to the proximity sensor when the light reception amount measured by the proximity sensor is larger than the reference value.
15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the control unit executes a screen lock function when it is recognized that the object is close to the proximity sensor.
An apparatus for confirming proximity of an object in a portable terminal,
A communication module for performing a call connection with an external portable terminal;
A proximity sensor for projecting the light and measuring an amount of received light with respect to the projected light; And
A reference value is set in consideration of the average of a plurality of received light amounts measured through the proximity sensor during a reference time when the call connection is performed with the external portable terminal, and the proximity of the object is determined by comparing the reference value and the received light amount And a control unit.
17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the proximity sensor is activated when a call connection with the external portable terminal is performed.
17. The method of claim 16,
The proximity sensor includes:
A light emitting part for projecting light; And
And a light receiving unit for measuring a light receiving amount with respect to the light projected from the light emitting unit.
17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the control unit recognizes that the object is close to the proximity sensor when the light reception amount measured by the proximity sensor is larger than the reference value.
20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the control unit executes a screen lock function when it is recognized that the object is close to the proximity sensor.

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